Raman and Luminescent Spectra of Sulfonated Zn Phthalocyanine Enhanced by Gold Nanoparticles

Sulfonated Zn phthalocyanine, as a prospective photosensitizer in the photodynamic therapy of tumors, is investigated by means of Raman, infrared, and fluorescence spectroscopies. Conventional and surface-enhanced spectra from this photosensitizer are obtained and compared. Gold nano-islands attached to silica cores (Au-SiO 2 ) are proposed as nanostructures providing plasmonically enhanced signals. Pronounced enhancement of Raman and infrared spectral bands from sulfonated Zn phthalocyanine allows their more convenient assignment with vibrational modes of sulfonated Zn phthalocyanine. In comparison to Raman and IR, the fluorescence is less enhanced by Au-SiO 2 particles.